“It is clear that Mr. Espada is a difficult client . . . but it’s clear his conduct will not change,” the judge said.

Hochheiser — who at one point had referred to Espada as his “adversary” — said, “I accept Your Honor’s ruling. I will do my best.”

Pauley replied, “I’m confident that you will do a fine job, Mr. Hochheiser. You have a difficult client.”

Espada is charged with evading taxes on about $500,000 he looted from a network of nonprofit medical clinics he founded, for which he faces 40 years behind bars after getting convicted on theft charges in Brooklyn federal court.